Building Code Workshops Set

BY KRISTEN SMITH

DEWEY BEACH – Two workshops have been set for Nov. 1 and 8 to further discuss changes to the town’s building code.

Mayor Dell Tush said the meetings, which are open to the public, will be followed by public hearings to solicit feedback from area residents.

“The council really has until January for the final discussion and voting,” said Town Manager Gordon Elliott. “But presenting it to them now gives ample time for review.”
As presented to the commissioners Oct. 10, there are changes embedded in the proposed code. These include the retention of two residential districts, with a clarification of uses and zoning regulations that permits each district to develop in a manner that is consistent with its current character. It also divides the former Resort Business District into three distinct resort districts, with varying levels of commercial and residential intensity and use proposed.
The creation of “overlay” zones for residential and mixed-use development was suggested to facilitate the unified development of large pieces of land in a manner more beneficial to the town than individual lot-by-lot development, and for which district-specific “relaxed bulk standards” have been defined.

Retention of the townwide height limit of 35 feet from roof peak to grade and the adoption of a limiting, district-dependent Floor Area Ratio requirement for all zoning districts are expected to ease the visual impact of new, larger residential and commercial/mixed-use structures.
However, it’s the possible adoption of tiered setback requirements in place of FAR decreases or increases in front, side and rear setbacks that have people upset, Tush said. “The tiered setback issue is what I’ve been getting the most complaints about,” she said. “But I’ve also heard rumblings over the (possible restriction of) rooftop decks.”

Part-time resident Linda Arters said rooftop decks are a signature of Dewey Beach.
“I’m all for restricting building heights … that’s great,” she said. “But banning these decks would be a major disappointment. Sitting on the roof during summertime is one of my favorite vacation aspects.”

Tush said the council could opt to “discuss and vote” at the last workshop, or table it until its December council meeting.